One child is dead after visiting the Oxford County Fair, according to his father.

WMTW News 8 spoke with Jon Guay, the father of 20-month-old Colton Guay of Poland, who confirmed that Colton died of HUS, hemolytic uremic syndrome, a week after being admitted to Maine Medical Center for severe diarrhea.

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Hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused by a bacteria that releases a toxin that attacks the kidneys and other organs.

According to Jon Guay, it is believed that Colton contracted the bacteria through a simple interaction with farm animals at the fair.

Jon Guay

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said two children were hospitalized with symptoms associated with E. coli. Seventeen-month-old Myles Herschaft of Auburn was in fair condition at Maine Medical Center.

There was heightened awareness at the Fryeburg Fair on Wednesday afternoon as children came in contact with goats at a petting zoo. Hand sanitizers were hanging in many places and signs were posted warning parents about the importance of hand washing after kids leave the petting zoo.

“We are pretty adamant, but I think we’re going to be even more conscious of it now,” said Kate Sutherland of Bethel.

With word spreading about the two toddlers who contracted E.coli-related illnesses at the Oxford Fair, veterinarians at the Fryeburg Fair explained how such a disease is transmitted.

“They are coming in contact with manure from an animal shedding the organism, which is something we cannot tell ahead of time, and then they’re putting their fingers in their mouth or they are eating food without washing their hands,” said Dr. Mark Anderson, a veterinarian.

Outside the petting zoo, Dixfield’s Michele Araujo made sure her two young daughter scrubbed their hands before leaving.

“We just make sure we do that, and when we go home, we make sure we take a shower. You know, that’s really all we can do,” she said.

Anderson said it’s extremely rare for someone to die from this kind of E.coli transmission.

“Clearly, if a parent feels they’ve got a toddler that’s prone to picking something up off the ground and putting it right in their mouth, they may want to reconsider going in the petting zoo,” Anderson said. “Certainly the younger the kids are, the less likely their immune system is going to handle a heavy hold of any pathogen that they encounter.”

According to John Martins, the public health information officer, the Maine CDC has been investigating for any common links to the cases, and the search effort continues.

Jon Guay

The Maine CDC is working with the state veterinarian and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to investigate whether each child attended the Oxford Fair and visited the animal barns and petting zoo.

A representative for the Oxford County Fair said it is working with the state veterinarian, Dr. Michele Walsh. The assistant state veterinarian told WMTW News 8 the office is working with the CDC and is discussing sampling the livestock for the bacteria.

"It's a challenge to get a smoking gun," Walsh said about testing animals. The problem with testing animals, Walsh said is healthy animals carry strands of E.coli just like humans carry some strands of E.coli.

Walsh said the office spends all year educating and staying in contact with fairs reminding them that, "livestock are for viewing not for petting." Walsh said the office ensures the fairs have plenty of visible signage reminding people to wash their hands if they do come into contact with animals. Walsh said the office verifies that all animals in attendance at fairs are healthy.

Martins advises those who are exposed to animals and their environment to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer can be used.